Fibromyalgia (pronounced fy-bro-my-AL-ja) is a common and complex chronic pain disorder that affects people physically, mentally and socially. Fibromyalgia is a syndrome characterized by chronic widespread pain, multiple tender points, abnormal pain processing, sleep disturbances, fatigue and often psychological distress. For those with severe symptoms, fibromyalgia can be extremely debilitating and interfere with basic daily activities.

What you should read Second.

What you need to know.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Myofascial Release

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These are the hand outs I received on my first visit and I keep them posted by my computer to help me keep focused.

Myofascial Release.

Who Can Benefit?

Anyone who has pain can benefit from Myofascial release. The pain can be chronic from a known source of from a recent issue that is not responding to traditional forms of treatment. An order is needed from you're doctor. An evaluation will be preformed by a Physical therapist. A plan of care will be developed for you, which may include Myofascial release along with traditional PT treatments.

What Is Myofascial Release? (MFR)

MFR is an effective hands-on technique performed by a trained therapist that facilitates the re-alignment of you're fascia to reduce pain and restore motion. MFR is NOT massage. The fascia is a specialized system of the body that has an appearance similar to a spider's web. Fascia is a densely woven structure in your body that interpenetrates every muscle, bone, nerve, and arty as well as internal organs. It is one structure that exists head to toe and connects everything in between. When we experience trauma, scarring, inflammation or habitually poor posture the fascia looses its pliability and becomes a source of tension and pain.

What Happens During MFR?

Most patients are surprised how gentle and light the touch is and yet how active is feels under the therapists hot hands. Before the treatment begins share with the therapist any questions, information or concerns. Relaxing music and dimed lights may be added to enhance the release process. You will be encouraged to breathe naturally and calmly and allow the releases / changes to happen. (re-modeling effect)

What Happens After?

You will feel very relaxed and / or "different" and may need several minutes to compose you're self. You MUST drink extra water that day. This will flush the toxins that were released from you're tissue. It will also reduce muscle soreness and / or upset stomach. Monitor you're pain level, mobility and any other changes to you're symptoms so you can report it to you're therapist at the next session. You will notice the most change after 3-4 sessions. You will be instructed in a home exercise program to enhance you're new mobility and control you're pain.

You have the ability to control you're fibro pain Vs the pain controlling you.

Keeping your pain at a consistent lower level that you cane manage is possible.

Fibro is a chronic condition.

If you make the commitment to be consistent with you're treatment and lifestyle you can control you're pain.

A natural response to pain is to shallow breath and not move.

You're knowledge and understanding about fibro will change that.

Deep Breathing is a primary tool you will use to control pain.

Once you have mastered deep breathing you can use it anytime, especially when you encounter one of you're pain triggers (something, someone, a situation.)

Movement is important.

It takes a long time for pain to evaporate. Give the pain a pathway to leave you're body with the right type of movement.

Fibro tissue is twisted.

Move or stretch too fast and it will tighten up more. The faster you pull the tighter it gets. i.e. a knot in a chain, the harder you pull the tighter it gets, give it a little wiggle room and you can figure out how the knot comes out.